WHY DO WE HIKE?

Many folks like to get out of the house and go hiking. Not walking, which is also good but happens on a track, path or other easy to negotiate flat surface. I am talking about hiking, where the walking is up-down, left-right, straight-curvy, flat-rocky-hilly-bushy, and usually involves non-urban areas.

So, why do we hike?

A simple question with complex and subtle answers.

I will attempt to list some of those replies and hope I do the subject matter justice.

This list is not shown in any prioritized order, but simply noted as the thought occurred to me. Hey, thoughts do occur to me from time to time…

1) Health. They (whoever that nefarious group is) claims that getting 10,000 steps a day (about 5 miles) is optimal for health. Hiking, obviously, is a little different because it is often over less than flat ground, so there has to be force multiplier for hiking steps that are more demanding than walking around the track at the local school. Oh, and you have to factor in that most people carry a backpack or other goodies when they hike, so the weight factor is, well, a factor. Irrespective of of all that, hiking is healthy because you are moving — which means your body is working (not in idle stasis slowly deteriorating) and you are getting fresh oxygen in your system. Well, assuming you are not hiking in some polluted big city area — hey don’t shoot the messenger. In addition, hiking engages all your senses, thus keeping your mind sharp and clear. You smell the wonderful dank and lusty allure of the woods and fields; you feel the changing pattern of the ground as you hike (and directly experience a rock if you slip and fall); you see beautiful vistas and amazing scenarios, plus the joy on the face of your companions; you taste that wonderful snack when you pause to take a break; and you listen to the call of nature, including birdsong, hawk calls, the rush of water, the leaves rustling in the breeze, the laughter of fellow hikers. We all want to be healthy, but wanting is not enough — you have got to get your chip-eating arse up off the couch and hike.

2) Companionship. Hikers are the best people because over time they have come to appreciate the true pleasure that can be gleaned from a hike with others. Listening to their comments, posing for pictures, sharing their enjoyment of the hike. Social connections are very important, nay, critical.

3) Exploration. Let’s be honest — even as kids we were checking out new areas around the house and neighborhood; exploring, looking, examining, discovering. Seeing new things, finding objects, artifacts, fossils, rocks and what have you. Trying to envision others who may have traversed the area or lived there long ago. Humans are explorers, pure and simple, and that urge never goes away, so channel it; use it to maximize the joy of life.

4) Focus. It does not matter whether you are still working full time or retired, our daily life is full of stress. Just ask your cortisol levels. We have work, family, friends, finances, hobbies and a plethora of things which occupy our mind. However, and this is a really important however, for mental health we have to have moments of freedom from such stress. Many people seek to achieve this freedom with alcohol or drugs — but the effect is transitory and ultimately of no value. Others seek refuge in books, social media, music or other outlets and as long as you do not allow yourself to be sucked into a black hole of time you are okay. Hiking, though, is one way to clear out that stress and simultaneously enjoy all the benefits noted above. Another name for this is electromagnetic wave detox — escaping from the constant bombardment of digital information (e.g., phone, tablets, television, cars…) inundating us. A momentary respite from the general noise and clatter of urban living.

Okay, as we near the end of this diatribe I want to say that all of us need a HELPING HAND from time to time. For me, it’s basically everyday. Hah. Any who, here is my helping hand for hiking:

H –> Hit the trail — “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single footstep.”
E –> Enjoy the moment — never forget that YOU are in charge and you can choose
L –> Linger — if you find a remarkable place while hiking, pause to fully enjoy it
P –> Pathways — never be afraid to step off the beaten path
I –> Intelligence — always look before you leap and always stop to stare rather than keep moving
N –> Notes — keep a diary or a log; relive the event over and over
G –> Gather — make sure you have gathered together all you need for the hike, including friends!

H –> Hydrate — drink good fluids before, during, after
A –> Assimilate — don’t be afraid to try new styles of hiking, packing, moving
N –> Nutrition — consume good calories before, during, and after
D –> Desire — strive to achieve, dare to enjoy

Well, there you have it. Wish I could write more, but time for a hike…

E